• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1007-1016
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• 2021

This study examined the characteristics and seasonal distribution patterns of subtidal marine algal communities along the east coast of Korea, from 2016 to 2017, and recorded the coverage ratio (%) by the algal type. During the study period, 134 marine algae species (16 green, 29 brown, and 89 red) were identified at the survey sites. The maximum number of species was observed at the Nagok site (70 species), and the minimum at the Gisamoon site (50 species). The total average biomass (dry weight) during the survey period was 66.22 g/m², including green algae (2.19 g/m²), brown algae (38.10 g/m²), and red algae (25.94 g/m²). The dominant seaweeds in the vertical distribution based on coverage rates (%) were Sargassum yezoense and Dictyopteris divaricata at the upper, Symphyocladia latiuscula and Undaria pinnatifida at the middle, and Agarum clathratum subsp. yakishiriense and Plocamium telfairiae at the lower sections of the distribution. Richness, evenness, and diversity index, calculated based on the biomass of the abundant species, were estimated to be 6.36, 0.55, and 1.98, respectively, over the entire sea area. Based on the evaluation of the environmental states using community indices, the ecological evaluation index (EEI-c) of subtidal marine algal communities along the east coast of Korea was marked as 'good-moderate'.

• ALGAE
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 2022

Light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are a lighting source useful for the precise evaluation of light quality effect on biological systems. Despite the importance of light spectra on the regeneration of land plant protoplasts ("naked cells"), this factor has not been tested yet on protoplasts from multicellular algae. This study reports on the effects of pure primary colors (red, blue, and green), dichromatic (red plus blue, RB, 1 : 2) and white LEDs on protoplast regeneration from male and female Undaria pinnatifida gametophytes. We also evaluated the effect of different light spectra on pigment composition (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, and fucoxanthine), and the light intensities under the best condition on the regeneration process. In the early stages, blue or RB LEDs increased the percentage of dividing female protoplasts, whereas red, blue, and RB LEDs enhanced that of dividing male protoplasts. In the later stages, RB LEDs showed a positive effect only on the percentage of multiple rhizoid-like protrusions (male gametophyte). They also increased the final area of both regenerated gametophytes. The LEDs did not affect pigment composition in female gametophytes. In male gametophytes, in contrast, they reduced chlorophyll c, while blue, RB, and green LEDs decreased fucoxanthin. Under RB LEDs, the optimal light intensity was 80 µmol photons m^-2 s^-1 for female gametophytes and 40 to 60 µmol photons m^-2 s^-1 for male gametophytes. Our results suggest that dichromatic LED illumination (red-blue) improves regeneration of U. pinnatifida gametophyte-isolated protoplasts. Thus, dichromatic LEDs might a suitable light source for enhancing protoplast regeneration in brown seaweeds.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2024

Pseudolithoderma subextensum is a crustose brown algal species in the family Lithodermataceae and order Sphacelariales. This species is distributed in several regions across the world including, Europe, Western Atlantic, Middle East and Asia (Hong Kong and Japan). Recent floristic surveys along the Korean coastal shores have revealed new records of encrusting brown algae. In this study, we report P. subextensum as a new record from Korea. Morpho-anatomical and molecular studies on Ralfsia-like specimens from Korea identified some of them as P. subextensum. Pseudolithoderma subextensum is characterized by dark chestnut brown crust with a hypothallial basal layer and erect perithallial filaments, tufts of hairs occasionally arising from the basal layer, several discoid shaped chloroplasts per cell, plurangia arising terminally on erect filaments and without sterile cells, and unangia arising terminally on erect filaments, elongated cylindrical and without paraphyses. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI-5P (545bp) reveal that P. subextensum are nested within Lithodermataceae and forms the same clade with P. roscoffense. The genetic divergences for COI-5P between them is 24.5%.

• ALGAE
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2007

The summer algal flora and community of 15 uninhabited islands in Dochodo, southwestern coast of Korea, were investigated from 9 June to 16 September 2007. A total 53 species (10 green, 14 brown and 29 red algae) of marine algae were identified. Among 15 uninhabited islands, the number of species observed was the highest as 33 species at Jeongdo and Gyeongchido the least as 24 species at Hugdo and Mido. The dominant species were Enteromorpha compressa, Ishige okamurae, Gloiopeltis furcata, Ulva pertusa and Sargassum thunbergii. The algal zonation of intertidal zone was figured out by Gloiopeltis furcata, Caulacanthus okamurae – Ulva pertusa, Sargassum thungergii – Gelidium amansii, Sargassum horneri from upper to lower zone. The flora investigated could be classified into six functional groups such as coarsely branched form (39.6%), filamentous form (25.8%), sheet form (14.1%), thick leathery form (9.9%), jointed calcarious form (5.6%) and crustose form algae (4.9%).

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

Despite the abundance of seaweeds from Ulleungdo Island, genetic diversity and distribution of edible brown algae from the island remain unstudied. We analyzed mitochondrial cox3 sequences from 86 specimens collected in the island and from the nearby Korean Peninsula. Our cox3 phylogeny for the first time confirmed the occurrence of fives species from Ulleungdo Island; Petalonia binghamiae, P. fascia, Planosiphon zosterifolius, and two cryptic species previously identified as Scytosiphon lomentaria. P. binghamiae was relatively homogeneous with three haplotypes. P. fascia comprised four haplotypes, which were grouped into two genetic lineages. S. lomentaria was heterogeneous with nine haplotypes and was divided into two cryptic species; one species clustered with taxa from cold waters while the other clustered with taxa from temperate and cold waters. Low genetic diversity in P. binghamiae while high genetic diversity in S. lomentaria from Ulleungdo Island are comparable to patterns observed from other species from the Korean peninsula. Ulleungdo Island, although small in size, is an ideal field laboratory to investigate genetic diversity and distributions of economic marine algae.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.298-307
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• 2011

The species composition and distributions of subtidal marine algae on the east coast of Korea were studied. We examined all species found in permanent quadrats at three depths (3 m, 5 m and 10 m) at Sacheon between October 2008 and December 2009. Coverage and frequency data were collected monthly via underwater photography and analyzed using a modified photo quadrat method. Of the 82 species identified, 10 were chlorophytes, 21 were phaeophytes, 50 were rhodophytes, and one was a seagrass. The largest number of species (59) was found 10 m deep, while the fewest (39) species were present at 5 m. A total 17 species (two green, five brown, and 10 red algae) occurred at all three depths. The vertical distribution of the study site was characterized by the melobesioidean algae, Ulva pertusa, Sargassum confusum, Phyllospadix iwatensis, and Codium arabicum at 3 m deep, melobesioidean algae and U. pertusa at 5 m deep, and Corallina pilulifera, Prionitis cornea, Chondracanthus tenellus and melobesioidean algae at 10 m deep. Given that coralline algae such as melobesioidean algae and C. pilulifera play important roles in coastal ecosystems, thorough studies on the spatial and temporal variations of coralline algae and the dynamics of marine algal communities on the east coast of Korea are now required.

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2008

Marine algal flora and community structure were investigated seasonally at three sites in Ilkwang Bay on the southern east coast of Korea from May 2007 to February 2008. Total 103 species including 10 of green algae, 17 of brown algae, 76 of red algae were collected and identified. Among these species, 21 species were found throughout the year. Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha linza, Grateloupia lanceolata, Chondracanthus intermedia and Caulacanthus ustulatus were distributed dominantly in upper intertidal zone. By contrast, crustose coralline algae, Grateloupia spp., Chondracanthus tenellus, Prionitis cornea and Sargassum spp. occurred predominantly in middle intertidal zone. Grateloupia spp., Sargassum spp., Ecklonia cava and Ulva pertusa were dominant in lower intertidal zone. Annual mean biomass in wet weight was 478.3 g m$^{-2}$. Maximum biomass was recorded in site 1 (731.8 g m$^{-2}$), and minimum was recorded in site 3 (78.5 g m$^{-2}$). The R/P, C/P and (R + C)/P value reflecting flora characteristics were 4.47, 0.59 and 5.06, respectively. Two groups produced by cluster analysis, one including sites 1, 2 and the other including site 3, showed meaningful difference in similarity, each other. Site 3 showed the limited species composition due to inflow of fresh water and absence of solid substratum. However, there was no significant difference between site 1 and site 2. In conclusion, the number of marine algae species and biomass in Ilkwang Bay were markedly reduced comparing with the previous studies. These suggest that a solution for reconstruction of the poor marine algal vegetation is considerably demanded.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2014

The taxonomic status and the distribution of Rosenvingea species need attention because of the difficulties in morphological identification in the laboratory as well as in the field. We analyzed mitochondrial cox3 and plastid psaA gene sequences from Rosenvingea species from Vietnam, Mexico and Panama in combination with morphological examinations. Our results confirmed the occurrence of R. intricata and R. orientalis in Vietnam. R. intricata formed dense decumbent mats with many flat branches, often inter-adhesive, and was up to 5 cm in diameter. R. orientalis thalli were up to 18 cm long with narrow (less than 2 mm in width) tubular to compressed fronds. Both cox3 and psaA phylogenies revealed the non-monophyly of the genus Rosenvingea, as reported previously for other scytosiphonacean genera.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.428-438
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• 2003

Benthic marine algal community of Hakampo in the western coast of Korea was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively. Seasonal assessments of species composition, biomass, dominant species in biomass and vertical distributional pattern were carried out from spring to winter. A total of 121 species was identified; 6 blue-green, 18 green, 16 brown, 81 red algae. In three sites investigated, 96 species were collected at Bunjeomdo, 75 at Maoe, and 57 at Doranggol, respectively. Dermocarpa sp. and Acrochaetium microscopicum were collected for the first time in Korea through this investigation. Dominant species in specific proportions of biomass were Sargassum thunbergii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Corallina spp., Symphyocladia latiuscula and Monostroma nitidum. Seasonal fluctuations of mean biomass were 31.59-427.69 g dry wt$.$$\mu \textrm m^{-2}$ at Bunjeomdo and 20.98-473.48 g dry wt$.$$\mu \textrm m^{-2}$ at Maoe, respectively, which were comparatively high in the western coast of Korea. Vertical distribution in intertidal zones was Gloiopeltis furcata-Gloiopeltis furcata and Corallina spp.-Corallina spp. and Sargassum thunbergii.

• ALGAE
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-13
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• 2006

In this work we report the occurrence of Scytosiphon gracilis Kogame (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) on the Pacific coast of Mexico. This is the first report of S. gracilis outside its previously known distribution in the western North Pacific (Korea and Japan). The identification was based on a morphological revision and a comparison of the plastid-encoded RuBisCO spacer sequences determined for Korean and Mexican algal material. Thalli were collected from the intertidal zone of Saldamando Beach, Baja California, in January 2003. The vegetative structure, as well as habitat and geographic distribution of the species are described. Reproductive structures were not found in our specimens. The poor presence/absence of S. gracilis in previous floristic studies of the area could be due to its small size and low frequency.